Reel lift and support for bulldozer

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a wire or cable reel lift and support mechanism for a bulldozer, or the like, having a power lift dozer blade. The improved mechanism includes an H-shaped frame, which is pivotally supported on the bulldozer above the dozer blade, and a pair of drop links, pivotally connected to the dozer above the frame, and having end connectors which retain the frame in a generally upright position. A cable or wire reel is supported for rotation in yokes on the frame and the reel is raised and secured by lifting the dozer blade and securing the links to the frame. The frame and reel are then independent of the dozer blade.

United States Patent [191 Davis et al.

REEL LIFT AND SUPPORT FOR BULLDOZER [75] Inventors: Charles J. Davis; Billy M. Glass,

both of Wichita, Kans.

[73] Assignee: J. 1. Case Company, Racine, Wis.

{22] Filed: Mar. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 237,784

[52] US. Cl. 172/438, 172/801 [51] Int. Cl. A0lb 49/00, E02f 3/76 [58] Field of Search 172/801, 809, 466,

172/438; 37/117.5, 2 P; 61/72.6;214/DIG. 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,770,895 11/1956 Rymkevitch 37/117.5 3,421,329 1/1969 Kinnan 61/72.6 2,626,470 1/1953 Cook et a1. 172/466 X 2,173,406 9/1939 Wilkinson 37/2 P 3,377,724 4/1968 Jones 37/2 P Dec. 25, 1973 3,027,662 4/1962 Cunningham 172/809 X 3,173,272 3/1965 Knapp e181. 61/726 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Attorney-Cullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a wire or cable reel lift and support mechanism for a bulldozer, or the like, having a power lift dozer blade. The improved mechanism includes an H-shaped frame, which is pivotally supported on the bulldozer above the dozer blade, and a pair of drop links, pivotally connected to the dozer above the frame, and having end connectors which retain the frame in a generally upright position. A cable or wire reel is supported for rotation in yokes on the frame and the reel is raised and secured by lifting the dozer blade and securing the links to the frame. The

frame and reel are then independent of the dozer blade.

' 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 REEL LIFT AND SUPPORT FOR BULLDOZER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The improved wire or cable reel lift and support of this invention is particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for bulldozer cable laying implements. Such implements generally include a cable laying plow mounted on the tractor, opposite the dozer blade, and a frame which rotatably supports the cable reel in an elevated position to feed the cable laying plow. The improved reel lift and support of this invention utilizes the power lift dozer blade to raise the reel to the preferred elevated position and support the reel, independently of the position of the dozer blade.

In the present commercial cable laying plows, or the like, the cable reel is generally lifted to the elevated yoke by a crane or hoist. The prior art does disclose the concept of utilizing the power lift bulldozer blade as a crane, however these implements are not suitable for supporting a wire or cable reel, such as utilized in cable laying implements. Examples of the prior art implements include US Pat. Nos. 2,173,406 and 2,770,895.

The prior art also discloses a cable laying plow wherein the cable reel is supported on a carrier or frame secured to the face of a bulldozer blade. In this implement, the hydraulic lift mechanism for the dozer blade must continue tosupport the cable reel during cable laying and the reel carrier must be removed prior to dozing with the blade. The improved reel lift and support mechanism of this invention utilizes the power lift dozer blade to raise the cable reel to the preferred elevated position, but the reel and frame is then independent of the position of the dozer blade. An example of the prior art cable laying implement described above is US. Pat. No. 3,173,272.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The preferred cable or wire reel lift and support mechanism of this invention may be utilized with substantially any conventional bulldozer or the like having a power lift dozer blade. The disclosed mechanism is particularly adapted for use with cable laying plows, or the like, wherein the plow is mounted on a bulldozer or tractor and the cable reel is elevated. The reel and lift support mechanism of this invention is adapted to lift the cable reel and retainv the reel in an elevated position, independent of the position of the bulldozer blade.

The peferred embodiment of the cable or wire reel lift and support mechanism includes a reel support frame which is pivotally connected to the bulldozer and extends above the dozer blade. The frame includes a reel supporting yoke, spaced from the dozer, which rotatably receives the cable reel. The bulldozer blade preferably includes a bearing means which supportingly receives the reel support frame and reduces the friction between the blade and the frame. In the disclosed embodiment, the bearing means includes a plurality of rollers which are mounted for rotation on the upper edge of the bulldozer blade. The frame is releasably secured in a generally upright position by a retainer means which supports the frame independently of the bulldozer blade. I

The disclosed embodiment of the reel support frame includes a pair of arms which are pivotally connected to the bulldozer and a cross member defining an H- shaped assembly. The retainer means includes a pair of drop links which are pivotally connected to the dozer,

2 on opposite sides, above the pivotal connection of the frame. Each of the drop links includes a connector at its distal end which releasably retains one of the reel support frame arms in the generally upright position. The bearing means, in this embodiment, includes a pair of spaced rollers which receive the arms and support the arms during raising and lowering of the cable reel.

A cable or wire reel is lifted and supported by the disclosed mechanism by positioning the opposed ends of the axel of the reel in the yokes located near the end of the I-I-shaped frame. The dozer blade is then raised, lifting the cable reel to the desired elevated position and the drop links are secured to the arms to retain the arms in the generally upright position. Other advantages and meritorious features of the disclosed invention will more fully appear from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment, Drawings and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial, cross sectional side view of one embodiment of the reel lift and support of this invention on a conventional bulldozer or tractor;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the reel lift and support disclosed in FIG. 1, with the cable reel resting on the ground; and

FIG. 3 is a top elevation of the reel lift and support mechanism disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As stated above, the preferred embodiment of the reel lift and support mechanism 20 is designed to raise and retain a cable or wire reel such as utilized in a cable laying plow or the like. The reel lift and support mechanism is adapted for use with substantially any conventional bulldozer or tractor, such as shown at 22. The disclosed embodiment of the bulldozer includes wheels 26 which support the bulldozer and a motor 28 which powers the bulldozer and which may be utilized to operate the various power equipment, including the power lift dozer blade 32 described hereinbelow.

In the disclosed embodiment, the dozer blade is supported on a V-shape frame 34, as shown in FIG. 3, which is pivotally supported at 36 to raise and lower the blade. The blade is also pivotally supported at 38 for angling of the blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the dozer. The pivotal connection 38 is provided by a bracket assembly 40 which supports the pivot pin 38 and the blade 32 on the frame 34. The blade is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the dozer by hydraulic cylinders 44 which include hydraulic connections, not shown. The various details of the angling mechanism and the bulldozer described above do not form a part of this invention except as defined in the claims and therefore are not described in detail.

The dozer blade is raised and lowered by a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders 46. The piston rod of each cylinder is pivotally connected at 48 to the V-shaped frame 34 and the cylinder portion is pivotally connected to the bracket 50. In the disclosed embodiment, the dozer blade 32 may be raised or lowered by simultaneously extending or retracting the piston rods of hydraulic cylinders 46 by fluid connections, not shown. The function and operation of lift cylinders in a bulldozer assembly is well known in the art.

The disclosed embodiment of the reel lift and support mechanism of this invention includes a H-shaped frame or boom 56 which raises and supports the cable or wire reel shown in phantom at 58. The reel support frame includes a pair of spaced arms 60 and a cross member 62 which are secured in any suitable manner, including welding, to povide a substantially rigid H-shaped frame support for the reel. Each of the arms include a yoke and socket 64 which receives the axel or spindle 66 of the reel. The opposite .end of the arms are pivotally connected to the dozer brackets 50, at 68, to extend over and rest against the upper edge of the dozer blade, as shown in FIG. 2. i

In the preferred embodiment of the reel lift and support mechanism, bearing means is provided on the upper edge of the dozer blade to support the frame 56 and reduce the friction between the frame and the dozer blade during raising and lowering of the reel 58. In the disclosed embodiment, a pair of rollers 72 are secured to the upper edge of the dozer blade by brackets 74. The rollers 72 are mounted to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the arms 60 and rotatably support the arms during liftingv of the reel, as described hereinbelow.

A cable or wire reel 58 may be raised to the upright position shown in FIG. 1 by loading the reel on the frame, as shown in FIG. 2. The opposed ends of the reel axel 66 are supported for rotation in the opposed yokes 64 which are provided at the encls of the arms 60. A clamp, not shown, may also be secured over the axel 66, if required. The reel is then raised to the preferred elevated position by lifting the dozer blade 32, as shown in phantom at 33 in FIG. 1. The dozer blade is raised by retracting the piston rod of cylinders 46 which are pivotally secured to the opposed arms of the V-shaped frame 34. The arms are each supported on a roller bearing 72, as shown in FIG. I, which reduces the friction between the frame 56 and the dozer blade. It will be understood, however, that other bearing means may also be utilized.

In the preferred embodiment, the reel support frame 56 is releasably secured in the generally upright position shown in FIG. 1 by a retainer means, such that the blade may be lowered for operation, as shown in FIG. 1, and to take the weight of the wire or cable reel 58 off of the hydraulic lift cylinders 46. The frame 56 may also be secured in the upright position without a cable reel to permit dozing or other operation of the bulldozer 22. The pivotal connection 68 of the frame 56 to the bulldozer, in the disclosed embodiment, includes a frame 50 which is substantially permanently secured to the dozer body and a pivot pin 68 which may be re moved to remove the frame 56. The frame may there fore be relatively easily removed, however it is important to note that the frame does not obstruct the use of the dozer blade when attached to the dozer, which is an advantage of the disclosed embodiment over the prior art.

The reel support frame retainer means in the disclosed embodiment includes a pair of drop links 78 which are pivotally attached at 80 to opposite sides of the bulldozer and maybe extended to overlie the arms 60. Each of the arms includes a bracket 82 which receives a releasable bolt or securement pin 84 to retain the frame in the upright position. After securement of the bolt or pin 84 to the bracket 82 of the frame 56, the

reel 58 is retained in the upright position independently of the position of the dozer blade 32. The reel may then be lowered to the ground by lifting the dozer blade to engage the roller members 72 against the underside of the arms 60, as shown in phantom at 33 in FIG. 1. The releasable bolts or pins 84 are then removed to release thedrop link 78. The reel may then be lowered to the ground by lowering the bulldozer blade 32 as shown in FIG. 1. The bulldozer blade is lowered by extending the piston rods of lift cylinders 46.

We claim:

l. A cable or wire reel lift and support mechanism for a bulldozer, or the like, said bulldozer having a blade pivotally mounted at one end and a power lift means adapted to raise and lower the dozer blade, said dozer blade having a bearing means at the upper edge, said lift and retainer mechanism including a reel support frame having a pair of arms pivotally connected to said bulldozer, each of said arms supported on said bearing means, said frame having a reel supporting yoke spaced from said dozer, said bearing means supporting the frame during raising and lowering of the blade to reduce the friction between the blade and the frame, and a retainer means for releasably retaining said frame in a generally upright position to support a reel above the level of the dozer blade said retainer means interconnecting said arms to said bulldozer above the pivotal axis of said arms, whereby a reel may be received by said frame yoke, raised by lifting the dozer blade and releasably retained in the raised position by said retainer means independently of the position of said dozer blade.

2. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said frame is I-l-shaped with said pair of arms pivotally connected to said dozer on opposite sides of said dozer and supported on said bearing means.

3. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 2, characterized in that said bearing means includes a pair of spaced rollers rotatably supported on the upper edge of said dozer blade, the rotational axis of said rollers being perpendicular to the axis of said arms.

4. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 2, characterized in that said retainer means includes a pair of drop links pivotally connected to said dozer, above said arms, said links each including a connector atits distal end which releasably retains one of said arms in a generally upright position.

5. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said bearing means includes a plurality of roller members rotatably retained on the upper portion of said blade and supporting said frame as defined.

6. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said yoke includes a pair of spaced aligned sockets adapted to receive the axel of the reel for rotational movement.

7. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said retainer means includes a pair of drop links pivotally connected to said dozer, on opposite sides, above the pivotal connections of said frame, each of said links having a releasable connector at its distal end adapted to retain said frame, on opposite sides, in a generally upright position. 

1. A cable or wire reel lift and support mechanism for a bulldozer, or the like, said bulldozer having a blade pivotally mounted at one end and a power lift means adapted to raise and lower the dozer blade, said dozer blade having a bearing means at the upper edge, said lift and retainer mechanism including a reel support frame having a pair of arms pivotally connected to said bulldozer, each of said arms supported on said bearing means, said frame having a reel supporting yoke spaced from said dozer, said bearing means supporting the frame during raising and lowering of the blade to reduce the friction between the blade and the frame, and a retainer means for releasably retaining said frame in a generally upright position to support a reel above the level of the dozer blade said retainer means interconnecting said arms to said bulldozer above the pivotal axis of said arms, whereby a reel may be received by said frame yoke, raised by lifting the dozer blade and releasably retained in the raised position by said retainer means independently of the position of said dozer blade.
 2. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said frame is H-shaped with said pair of arms pivotally connected to said dozer on opposite sides of said dozer and supported on said bearing means.
 3. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 2, characterized in that said bearing means includes a pair of spaced rollers rotatably supported on the upper edge of said dozer blade, the rotational axis of said rollers being perpendicular to the axis of said arms.
 4. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 2, characterized in that said retainer means includes a pair of drop links pivotally connected to said dozer, above said arms, said links each including a connector at its distal end which releasably retains one of said arms in a generally upright position.
 5. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said bearing means includes a plurality of roller members rotatably retained on the upper portion of said blade and supporting said frame as defined.
 6. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said yoke includes a pair of spaced aligned sockets adapted to receive the axel of the reel for rotational movement.
 7. The reel lift and support mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said retainer means includes a pair of drop links pivotally connected to said dozer, on opposite sides, above the pivotal connections of said frame, each of said links having a releasable connector at its distal end adapted to retain said frame, on opposite sides, in a generally upright position. 